Plumbing valves are important in any building, be it a house, office building or otherwise. While these buildings serve different purposes valves all serve one: to control each’s water supply as needed in order for their inhabitants and users to remain clean and healthy.
Water valves come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common variant seen are the wheel-shaped valves, and all are built reliably to withstand the wear and tear that comes with their function. But even these have their limits, and when those limits are reached the consequences are serious.
Like everything that breaks down, valves can be fixed, and this installation of London plumber’s amateur plumber guide will help you understand the problems that valves face and how they can be fixed.
What could happen?
It’s first important to understand the anatomy of valves before proceeding on to valve repair: the wheel controls an internal “ball” that controls the water pressure, along with two washers that both seal the handle from water pressure, and stops water flow completely.
The problems that valves usually face are mainly leaks and jams, and without immediate and thorough valve repair could lead to long-term damage to your plumbing and building’s foundations.
How to fix it
Fortunately, valve repair is a straightforward and intuitive process that even amateur plumbers can cover in these quick steps:
- First, check the apparatus for leaking or obstructive substances
- Once the leak has been found, turn off the water supply to the valve
- Use a screwdriver to remove the valve handle from the apparatus
- With an adjustable wrench, remove the packing nut and replace the packing washer below it
- Again with the adjustable wrench, remove the valve body nut and then unscrew the washer to remove it before replacing it.
- Once the new stem is in place, place the body nut back in place and tighten it, followed by the packing nut. Place the handle back on and turn the water supply back on
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